Valved closure



March l, T955 R. c. cooPRlDr-:R ETAL 2,7024957 VALVED CLOSURE Filed Sept. 26, 1952 INVENTORS;

ATTO R N EYS United States Patent VALVED CLOSURE Rex C. Cooprider, Downey, Calif., and Francis A. Mina,

Princeton, N. J., assignors to Zonite Products Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application September 26, 1952, Serial No. 311,692 Claims. (Cl. 21S-5) The present invention relates to valved closures for containers, such as relatively small bottles and cans; more particularly, to closures for `such containers loaded with ttluid under pressure which may be discharged by selfpropulsion with manual manipulation of the closure valve; and especially to closures of Ithe type illustrated in Richter Patent No. 1,956,747.

A general object `of the present invention is -to provide in such valved closures dual functioning operating means of simple and economical design which effectively will close oit Itilling passages while efficiently providing valveoperating, :tilting lever means of unique design.

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide in such a valved closure a head structure having a valved filling passage extending therethrough effectively to be blocked at its outer end by lever structure to permit contents discharge through a side orifice communicated with said passage inward of the blocking, the Iblocking means also serving securely to yanchor a hood portion of the lever structure litted over the head structure .to permit ready manual tilting of the latter for cracking open the valve.

A further object of the invention is to provide a structural embodiment of the device which may be readily and economically constructed and assembled on -a mass production basis, and which permits eiiicient use a-nd operation thereof.

Other objects of -the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the fea-tures of construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

IFor a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to Ithe Ifollowing detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational View of an embodiment of the valved closure of the present invention shown attached by a suitable cap to the neck of a bottle, portions of which are broken away; f

rFig. 2 is an axial section, taken substantially on line 2 2 of Fig. l3, of the structure shown in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view, with parts broken away and in section, of the structure shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the operating lever of the valved closure shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, and as viewed from the bottom thereof before being assembled on the head of the valved closure; i

Fig. 5 is an enlarged axial section of the head s-tructure of the valved closure shown in Figs. '1, 2 and 3, taken substantially on line 5-5' of Fig. y1 and with the operating lever omitted therefrom to permit @filling by suitable filling head structure diagrammatically indicated by dot-dash lines;

Fig. 6 is a section similar to Fig. 5, but to still larger scale and Iwith parts broken away, illustrating ejection operation of the valved closure head structure;

`Fig. 7 is an exploded axial section, with parts broken away, of the valve and stem -of the valved closure shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view, substantially on line 8-8 the back surface of the the head; and

with parts broken away, taken -of Fig. 6, showing in elevation orice plate-receiving socket in IFig. 9 is a sectional view similar .to Fig. v8, with parts broken away, taken substantially on line 9-9 of Fig. 6 and showing in elevation the rear face of the orifice plate seated in the head socket.

Referring yto the drawing, in which like numerals identify similar parts throughout, it will be seen that an embodiment of the present invention may comprise a head structure 10 over which is litted a lever structure 11 with Iboth supported upon a cap 12 by means of suitable neck structure 13, with the cap securing the device on a bottle neck .114.

As is best seen in Figs. 2 and 5, the head structure I10 preferably is in the shape of a domed unit `15 readily cast from rigid plastic material, such as, for example, polystyrene. The head unit 15 is provided with a through axial passage 16 having an outer end 17 and a counterbored inner end 13. As will be seen from Figs. l, 3, 5 and 6, one side of the domed head `l5 is atted oi at 19 to provide a discharge face. In the discharge face 19 is formed `a substantially cylindrical socket 20 to receive and support a rigid orilice plate or disc 21, preferably molded from plastic material similar to `that from which head 15 is formed, and communication between the socket 20 and the passage 16 is provided by means of a lateral duct 22.

As best seen in Figs. 6, 8 and 9, the back surface 23 -of socket V2l) is provided with a circular groove 24 which at one point communicates with the outer end of duct 22. The oriiice plate 21 has a discharge orice 25 extending therethrough and located eccentrically of duct 22 but substantially concentrically of circular groove 24. `Circular socket groove 24 is communicated with orifice 125 by means of a plurality of radiating grooves -26-26 which extend from :the circular socket groove 'to the oriiice, as best seen in Figs. 6 and 9.

The counterbored end 18 of the head 1'5 has iitted therein upper end 27 of a rigid tubular neck 28. Bore 29 of neck `2S forms a continuation of the head passage 16, as will be seen from Figs. 2, 5 and 6. As is best seen in Figs. 2 and 7, the lower end 30 of hollow neck 28 has a cross partition 31 .therein through which extends a communicating duct 32 substantially coaxial with bore 29. A circular groove 33 is provided in lthe lower end of partition 31 concentric with the duct 32 to receive the upper end 34 of a tube 35 which is mounted in a rigid cup 36 s-erving as the valve. Chamber 37 provided by the interior of cup 36 communicates with the duct 32 by means of a pair of longitudinally-extending slots 3S, 38 and bore 39 of the tube 35. lNeck 23 Vand valve 36 preferably are molded from rigid plastic material similar to that from which head 15 is molded.

A gasket member 40 of any suitable elastic material, such as rubber or a rubber-like composition, or elastic plastic, is provided substantially in the form shown in Fig. 2, and has a disc-like lateral ange or washer portion 41 from which extends a tubular neck 42 snugly surrounding the neck 28 to provide a fluid-tight seal ther-eat. Bottom face 43 of the gasket washer portion 41 serves as a valve seat against which the upper circular edge 44 oflthe cup valve 36 is snugly engaged to form a closed va ve.

AA suitable cap, `such asof the roll-on, screw or crown types may be used as desired. As shown by `way of example, a metal crown cap 12, preferably of aluminum composition, and of usual construction, may be used in a form -wherein an axial hole is provided therein through ywhich is receivedthe gasket neck 42. The washer portion l41 of the gasket member seats within the cap 12 to provide a fluid-tight seal at `the bottle neck lip 4'5. The edge 44 of cup valve 36 isheld insecure closing engagement with the under washer surface 43 by means of a helical compression spring -46'surrounding the telescoped necks 28 and 42, lsion between the top `of cap 12 and a metal anchoring washer 47 secured to the neck 28 in any suitable manner. Metal washer 47 may have diametrically-opposed spring hngers, the inner ends of which bite into the external surface of neck 28.

The parts just described may be readily assembled by forcing the upper edge 34 of the slotted cup valve tube Patented Mar. 1, 1955' and is conined under comprees-v into the circular slot 33 of tubular neck 28 and, aspreferred, it will be cemented in position. The tubular neck 28 is forced up through gasket `neck 42 from the bottom side of gasket member 40 until the cup valve flange 44 is securely seated against the gasket valve seat surface 43. The gasket neck 42 will be expanded when rigid neck 28 is forced therethrough since the bore of the gasket neck is preferably of a diameter appreciably less than the external diameter of the rigid neck to secure an effective gasketed seal. The apertured'crowncap 12 is then slipped over the telescoped necks to rest down upon the gasket washer portion 41, after which the helical compression spring 46 is dropped down over the telescoped necks. Anchoring washer 47 is then forced down over the top end 27 of the tubular neck 28 to a position which places the spring 46 under appreciable compression. As will be understood by one familiar with anchoring metal washers of the type described, it may be readily forced in one direction over a tubular structure, but is prevented from readily moving in the opposite direction since its spring fingers bite into the surface of the tubular structure. That sub-assembly is completed by thereafter fitting the top end 27 of tubular neck 28 into the counterbore 18 of head passage 16 with cement preferably being used also to secure those parts permanently together. The orifice plate 21 is also preferably cemented into the socket 20.

Since the valved closure of the present invention preferably is to be used for closing the tops of containers in which is to be marketed charged liquids containing selfpropelling gaseous medium or low boiling point liquids which, when permitted to expand will convert to the gaseous phase to expel admixed liquid, such valved closure is preferably provided with a suitable standpipe or ejection tube structure 48. For this purpose gasket washer portion 41 preferably is provided with an integral depending cylindrical fiange 49 which surrounds cup valve 36 and has in the inner face thereof an annular groove 50 into which is snapped a circular bead 51 forming the rim of a reducing connector 52. The latter has a neck 53 over which is telescoped top end 54 of a section of elastic tubing 55 to serve as an ejection tube with its bottom end preferably reaching to the vicinity of the bottom of the container.

The passage 16, duct 32 and the standpipe structure 48 together serve as a valved conduit to permit filling of the container to which such valved closure is fitted. The domed head provides a seat circumambient of the upper end 17 of that passage against which may be securely seated any suitable filling head, such as that diagrammatically illustrated in dot-dash lines at 56 in Fig. 5. Of course, in accordance with filling practice and technique, such filling head structure may be provided with suitable means temporarily to close the discharge orifice so as to prevent by--pass loss through the orifice during the filling operation. Such filling head structure, of course, is adapted to apply downward pressure upon head 15 to compress the spring 46 and hold the valve open during the filling operation. Then, after the container is suitably charged, the filling head structure is lifted to release the head 15 allowing the spring 46 automatically to close the valve. Thus, the valved closure of the present invention permits ready loading or filling in a uniquely simple manner.

In accordance with the present invention, after the container has been so charged by filling equipment, the described valve structure is equipped with means to close the filling passage 16 and simultaneously to serve as manual valve operating means. Lever structure 11 is provided to serve this dual function. It is formed preferably as a unitary structure, such as by molding it from suitable rigid plastic material substantially in the form shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4. Lever structure 11 has a hood portion V57, preferably in the form of a curved elongated member having a bottom surface 58 shaped complementary to the top surface of the domed head 15 so as to t snugly thereover. A substantially cylindrical blocking plug 59 preferably is made integral with the hood portion 57 and extends from its bottom curved surface 58 to seat within the upper cnd 17 of the passage 16, and may be of such lateral dimension as to form a tight frictional fit therein. A secure Huid-tight seal between the plug 59 and the passage 16 is assured preferably by cementing the former in the latter. From one side or end of the hood portion 57 a manuallyengageable lever portion 60 extends to the side and is shaped as shown to facilitate engagement by an operators thumb. Since the valve of the closure may be cracked by any lateral tilting of the head 15, its tubular neck 28 and the cup valve 36 carried thereby, pressure on the laterally-extending, manually-engageable lever portion 60, such as in the direction of the arrow 61 shown in Fig. 2, will cause the lever plug 59 to tilt the head 15 to one side to crack the valve and permit a discharge of container contents through the orifice 25.

Since, for purposes both of enhancing the appearance of the lever structure and its associated closure head and to assure effective transfer of tilting pressure from the former to the latter the hood portion 57 is of such shape and dimension as snugly to engage substantially entirely across the domed top surface of the head, means are provided to prevent any part of the hood portion from being assembled by plant employees in a position which would interfere with free discharge of container lcontents through orifice 25. Such means are provided in the form of interfitting means on the lever structure 11 and the head 15 preferably in the .form of a projection or lug 62 anchored in a slot 63 in the side of the head 15 laterally to the side of face 19. The under side of lever portion 60 and the adjacent part of hood portion 57 preferably are slotted at 64, as indicated in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, so as to fit down over lug 62 to dictate the position of the lever structure 11 relative to the head 15, as shown in Figs. l, 2 and 3. In this position the lever extends laterally from the side of head 15 to one side of and approximately parallel to face 19, and substantially normal to the axis of and flanking the orifice 25, so that no lever part will interfere with discharge from the orifice. This places the lever in a position convenient to engagement by the operators thumb as he holds the container with his fingers gripped around it or its neck and with the discharge orifice pointed to direct a stream of fine droplets either across the knuckle of the index finger of the right hand if the container be grasped therein, or substantially normal to the palm of the hand if the container be grasped in the left hand. In either case there is assured a position of thc container in the hand of and manual operation of the valve with ease and comfort as the charged liquid is ejected in a desired direction.

Such valved closure is particularly adapted for use in connection with pressure-charged containers of a variety of types of products, for example, insecticides, mothproofers, drugs, colognes and other toiletries, and similar products, particularly where the liquid product is to be applied to fabric, garments, the body, etc. It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description are elliciently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above construction and different embodiments of the invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Having described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A valved closure for containers loaded with fluid under pressure for self-expulsion comprising, in combination; an upright, tiltable, hollow stem having an axial passage and carrying normally closed valve means on its inner end to be cracked by tilt of said stem; head means on the outer end of said stem having a continuation of said passage extending therethrough to serve as a filling duct and a discharge orifice communicating with said passage at a point appreciably below the top end of said passage; and a tilting lever having a laterallyextending, thumb-engageable portion, and a hood portion fitted over said head means with plug means on said hood portion blocking the outer end of said passage but terminating short of said point of intercommunication.

2. The valved closure as defined in claim 1 characterized by said head means being domed to provide a lling head seat circumambient of the outer end of said passage and said lever hood portion being curved to fit the top of said head means with said plug means being integral with said curved portion and cemented into the outer end of said passage.

3. The valved closure as dened in claim 2 characterized by intertting portions on one side of said head means and the under side of said lever in the vicinity of one side of said curved hood portion.

4. The valved closure as defined in claim 3 characterized by said head means being atted ot on one side and provided in the resulting face with the discharge orice, said intertting means being located to one side of said face to dictate projection of said thumb-engageable lever portion to one side of said face.

5. In a valved closure the combination comprising; a tiltable domed head having an axial valved passage extending therethrough to serve as a lling duct and provided on one side with a discharge orifice communicating with one side of said passage appreciably inward of the outer end of the latter; a lug on the side of said head ankng said orifice; and a head-tilting, valve-operating lever having a laterally-extending, thumb-engageable portion, and a curved portion complementally tted over the top of said domed head, said curved portion carrying on its under side a projecting, passage-blocking plug tted into the outer end of said passage short of the point of communication of the latter with the orice, said lever having a slot in its under side receiving said lug to dictate location of said thumb-engageable portion to one side of the orice.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,137,530 Pratt Apr. 27, 1915 1,698,961 Mueller Jan. 15, 1929 1,956,747 Richter May 1, 1934 

